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Marc-André Léger
launches long-awaited first solo album
Moncton
blues singer Marc-André Léger will release a long-awaited
debut solo album on Tuesday, September 18, in the Empress Theatre
in Moncton. The self-titled album is an opportunity for Marc-André
Léger to steer away from pure blues and offer a unique
style developed over the years with numerous shows in Atlantic
Canada, Quebec, and Europe. The album contains 10 original compositions
and features a variety of styles based mainly in roots and rock
with a mix of funk, folk and blues. A second launch is to be
held at the Caraquet Cultural Centre on Thursday, September 20.
"This
first album is a reflection of my musical evolution over the
years," Marc-André said. "It's a long-term project
and a very introspective." Marc-André wrote both
the music and lyrics for the CD. A couple's relationship is a
recurring theme on the album, a subject which Marc-André
admits being fascinated by. "Love is special and mysterious
at the same time, and I enjoy trying to discover its secret."
He kept them to himself for many years, but Marc-André
is now ready to share his compositions, some of which he has
already performed in various shows. "The album's been in
my CD player for far too long. It's time to get it out there!"
he said with a laugh.
Marc-André
Léger
was recorded in Moncton and Montreal. Musicians featured on the
CD are Denis Hachey (drums), Rémi Arsenault (bass on one
track, while other bass is from Marc-André), Jesse Mea
(Wurlitzer and B4 organ), and Al Bourgeois (drums on one track).
Marc-André worked with Montreal sound engineer Rob Heaney
who did the mixing and collaborated on the production. The meticulous
post-recording sessions work was something Marc-André
admits he enjoyed very much. "It was a lot of work and I
learned a great deal with the help of extremely talented individuals.
Once you create an album, you really realize that everything
related to the recording is as important."
A life of
music
Well-known
on the Atlantic blues scene, Marc-André is a regular at
the Caraquet en bleu blues festival where he will perform
again this year. He has performed several times at the Fredericton
Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, the 2006 Festival international
du blues de Tremblant in Quebec, and has just completed a
tour in France and Switzerland, where he took part in the Festival
Musique en été in Geneva.
A Moncton resident
since 1998, Marc-André Léger is originally from
Ontario and grew up in Trois-Rivières Québec. He
was the bandleader of Bitter Blues Band (1994-1998) and
Blues Central (1998-2002) and has been performing solo
since 1993. Marc-André is widely recognized among musicians
and aficionados alike as a solid innovator in the blues medium.
His stage presence and approach are reminiscent of artists such
as James Brown, Jimmy Vaughan and Albert Colins. As both a bandleader
and solo artist, Marc-André brings his energy for blues
and blues offspring to the stage, creating a frenzy of tight
arrangements and intricate guitar work.
Marc-André
Léger's first solo album is distributed by Distribution
Plages
and is available in many record stores.
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